The internet does affect us greatly and it has become the center for our society. Through the internet, we are able to get information quickly by using Google or any other search engine. It has become essential to our social, school, and business lives.
For me, social networking sites are sites I go on very often. Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter are some sites that we go on to communicate and to keep connected with our "friends" or "followers". I do have an account for all three of these sites, but I don't really use any of them except for Tumblr. Although I have a Facebook, I only post status updates about every few months, but I still check it everyday even though I honestly do not care about any of my "friends" status updates. At a camp that I went to recently with my church, there was absolutely no service or internet connection available. I noticed that on our way back home, as soon as there was service available, almost every person on the bus pulled out their phones and checked Facebook. The few people that did not check it were sleeping. I am very sure that I am not the only one who could care less about what our "friends" are posting, and yet we still go on social networking sites. These sites are very addicting and hard to resist, but why? Why do you go on to these sites?
I think the reason that most of us go on these sites is simply because everyone else does. Human beings by nature like to fit in with everyone else, so therefore we like to do what everyone else is doing. I think the reason that everyone checks Facebook as soon as they return from a trip is because they're afraid of being out of the loop, of being apart from society. Or that they simply like the feeling that they are in the loop. Another reason that they could be checking could be simply because they are used to it, which takes us back to what Carr said about our brains changing after a repeated action. Could our brains be changing so that we feel the need to be connected through Facebook?
ReplyDeleteI think we are so glued to these sites because everyone else is on it. Even though we don't care what they post on Facebook a part of us always wants to check what's going on. Everyone wants to be in the loop and everyone wants to fit it. It also gives us a chance to start a conversation when we see our friends outside of our home. I always find myself asking my best friend if she saw what one of my other friend has posted recently just to gossip. It's just has become a daily routine so it becomes very hard to break the habit.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just because that’s how we are, as scary as it sounds it’s just how we’re programmed. For some reason it’s in our human nature to interact with other human beings either virtually or physically. We need to have sociability so that way we feel like we belong to something that is considered grand or important. Even though there are others who say they don’t feel the same way, it’s easy to tell that it’s not exactly true because subconsciously they do care in belonging to something. If some say they don’t care about interaction, then they wouldn’t have social networking accounts. Then again I could be wrong, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing but it’s just that we need to interact with others and since we have the type of technology that we have today it’s just more convenient for us to have access to the social networking sites.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning, when all of those social networks were made, like Facebook, it was pretty hard to keep away. It's just fun in the beginning; creating your own little page and adding people you don't really talk to, but know in some way. Though now, I really don't go on as much as I used to, just like you. Yet, there are still people who post things about how Facebook has become 'lame' and 'boring'. Then what is keeping them from deleting their Facebook? It might be that they just wouldn't want to miss something, or not know about all the gossip you read on those sights.
ReplyDeleteEveryone wants to hop on whatever social network is most popular at the time, and it wasn't always Facebook. Back in middle school everyone used Myspace, and nobody thought of leaving it until Facebook came along. Now people are starting to merge over to Twitter, leaving Facebook. When it everyone first had made one, it was actually pretty fun and interesting, and I'd be on that site daily. It was a great way to communicate with friends, some I see everyday, and others I hadn't seen in years. But after awhile I just began to grow tired of it, and I would get annoyed by some of the things posted. I think the last time I used Facebook was October of 2011, I really didn't enjoy using the network. There are much more productive things that can be accomplished rather than spending time on Facebook, not to mention it is a HUGE distraction when it comes to homework.
ReplyDeleteI think the main reason why social networks are so addicting is because they appeal to the population of people that care about their reputation and the position in life. A lot of people do care about their reputation and it brightens their day to know that they have more friends or more followers than the next guy. People want to socialize and know what’s going on. No one wants to be alone and this is shown when people constantly update what they are doing. Most people involved in social networks want to feel superior and wanted. This is not meant to sound like an accusation because I have an account on all those social networks too. I just believe that if someone really did not care for their status or other people’s opinions than they would not be on any social networks. This is the reason they are addicting. People want to be heard and feel important.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason everyone has a Facebook these days is because they all want to join in the crowd. Humans are social creature so it makes sense that we would use social networking. People are attracted by all the hype about these websites. I keep hearing how Facebook’s stocks are dropping and that makes me wonder when the next website will pop up.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I’m one of the “outcasts” that doesn’t have a Facebook. I could care less about knowing about every second of a person life. I don’t want to be some creeper searching people on the internet. It’s pretty good to have some me time. This makes me glad that I don’t waste as much time as I potentially could be wasting.